Destinations: HOUEI SAY – PAKBENG – LUANG PRABANG – VIENTIANE
The Jewel of the Mekong is a tour that takes you on a five-day adventure through the beautiful and cultural country of Laos. You will cruise along the Mekong River, the lifeline of Southeast Asia, and explore the ancient and modern wonders of this land. You will visit the mysterious Pak Ou caves, the enchanting city of Luang Prabang, and the vibrant capital of Vientiane. You will also experience the local traditions, cuisine, and hospitality of the Lao people. This tour is a perfect way to discover the jewel of the Mekong, Laos.
Itinerary in brief:
| Day | Destination | Meals* | Location |
| Day 1 | Arrival – Houei Say – Pakbeng | – | Pakbeng |
| Day 2 | Pakbeng – Pak Ou – Luang Prabang | B | Luang Prabang |
| Day 3 | Exploring Luang Prabang | B | Luang Prabang |
| Day 4 | Luang Prabang – Vientiane | B | Vientiane |
| Day 5 | Vientiane – Departure | B | – |
*B = Breakfast
You will cross the Mekong River from Thailand to Laos, where your Lao guide will welcome you at the immigration point. Complete the border formalities and board a traditional boat for a cruise down the Mekong River (the cruise departs at 8am).
Experience the serene and timeless beauty of Laos, one of the most unchanged and unvisited countries in Asia. Laos was once a powerful kingdom called Lane Xang (Million Elephants), which was founded in the 14th century with the help of the Khmers. It was one of the largest kingdoms in Southeast Asia until it collapsed in the late 19th century. Laos is influenced by many cultures, such as Theravada Buddhism, animism, French colonial heritage, and socialism. It is a peaceful place, where the Lao people are known for their hospitality, resilience and friendliness. Laos is a place where Old Asia is preserved.
As you cruise down the river, stop at some villages of the tribal minorities, such as the Hmong, Yao and Khmu.
Arrive in Pakbeng, where you will visit the local market and see the colorful hill-tribe traders exchanging their goods.
Overnight in Pakbeng
After breakfast, continue your cruise down the Mekong River, where you will see the unspoiled forest and the villages along the riverbanks. You may also spot some elephants and their mahouts. Visit a village where they make fishing nets and another village where they make rice wine. You may even get to taste some of the rice wine, which is a local specialty. Next, visit the Pak-Ou caves, where you will see thousands of Buddha statues that have been placed there by the faithful.
Arrive in Luang Prabang around sunset and transfer to your hotel.
Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a charming city on the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, surrounded by mountains. It was the capital of Laos until 1545 and the seat of the royal family until 1975. It has the legacy of 63 kings and a rich history and culture.
Discover the beauty and culture of this city, which is often called one of the last Shangri-La’s of Southeast Asia.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
You have the option to wake up early and join the daily morning ritual of the monks in saffron robes collecting alms (sticky rice) from the devout locals. This is a unique and sacred tradition in Laos, the only Buddhist country that still preserves this practice.
In the morning, visit the Phosi Market, where you will find a variety of local products, such as dried buffalo skin, tea, saltpeter, chickens, vegetables, and hill-tribe textiles. Laos is famous for its traditional crafts, and you will have the opportunity to see the local villages where different ethnic groups live such as Ban Ouay (Hmong), Ban Ou (Laoloum), and Ban Thapene (Khmu).
After that, drive to the stunning Khouangsi Waterfall, where you can swim in the clear blue pools or hike along the forest trails. Continue to the Bear Rescue Center and learn about the efforts to protect the endangered Asiatic black bears.
In the late afternoon, return to Luang Prabang and visit the National Museum, which used to be the Royal Palace of Laos. You will see the elegant and ornate rooms, as well as the Buddha and other artifacts, such as the Prabang, a holy image that was given by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum in the 14th century. Also visit some of the most impressive temples in Luang Prabang, such as Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, and Wat Mai. Admire the stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai, which are decorated with gilded stuccoes and doorways. Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, a magnificent temple that is located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Khan Rivers. Admire the temple’s architecture and the mosaic of the ‘tree of life’ on an outer wall. Next, climb to the top of Mount Phousi, where you will see the sacred and gilded stupa and the panoramic view of the city and the river at sunset.
At the end of the day, stroll through the Night Market, where you will find a variety of textiles made by the local and the hill-tribe people.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
In the morning, say goodbye to the ancient capital and take your flight to Vientiane. On arrival, visit some of the main temples in the city, such as Wat Sisaket, which has thousands of tiny Buddha statues, and Wat Prakeo, which used to hold the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On your way to the holy That Luang Stupa, you stop and admire the iconic Patuxay Monument, which is a majestic arch that resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Enjoy your last evening by watching the sunset over the Mekong River and taking in the night scene of the city.
Overnight in Vientiane
In the morning, enjoy some free time after breakfast to explore the town and do some last-minute shopping. Your tour ends with a transfer to the airport for your outbound flight.
As below or similar: double/twin shared rooms:
| OPTIONS | LOCATION | HOTEL NAME & ROOM TYPE | # NIGHTS |
| Option 1 | PAKBENG | Mekong Riverside Lodge (3*) – Standard | 1 |
| LUANG PRABANG | Villa Chitdara Hotel (3*) – Standard | 2 | |
| VIENTIANE | Chanthapanya Hotel (3*) – Superior | 1 | |
| Option 2 | PAKBENG | Pakbeng Lodge (3*) – Superior | 1 |
| LUANG PRABANG | Bel Air Resort (4*) – Garnier | 2 | |
| VIENTIANE | Salana Hotel (4*) – Deluxe | 1 | |
| Option 3 | PAKBENG | Le Grand Pakbeng (4*) – Mekong Villa | 1 |
| LUANG PRABANG | Maison Suvannaphum (4.5*) – Garden Wing | 2 | |
| VIENTIANE | Salana Boutique Hotel (4*) – Deluxe | 1 |
Need help with booking? Send Us A Message
Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites of the word in classical literature, discovered the undoubtable source.
Tour Vietnam & Combodia
Discover the beauty and diversity of Myanmar on this Classic 8-day tour. Visit the former capital Yangon and its majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, the ancient city of Bagan and its temple-filled landscape,...
Explore Myanmar in just 6 days, from the former capital Yangon and its majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, to the ancient city of Bagan and its temple-filled landscape. Visit Mandalay, the cultural heart of Myanmar,...
Explore Myanmar in 10 days, from the former capital Yangon and its majestic Shwedagon Pagoda, to the ancient city of Bagan and its temple-filled landscape. Visit Mandalay, ...